8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 

9:00 – 9:10 a.m.
Welcome & Introduction
– Lauren L. Fink & Brenna M. Galvin, Conference Co-chairs

9:10 – 10:10 a.m.
Housing and Moving and Discharge, Oh My!
What happens when clients are threatened with discharge from their long-term care provider? Gain familiarity with the laws governing housing providers that accept Medical Assistance as a payor source. Learn practical tips and pretermination efforts to avoid discharge and keep your clients out of a care crisis. Stay on top of law changes that are impacting resident rights in long-term care.
– Benjamin T. Kaufman & Suzanne M. Scheller

10:10 – 10:20 a.m.
BREAK

10:20 – 11:20 a.m.
Medicaid Estate Recovery: Negative Consequences, Including Racial Wealth Impacts, and Federal and State Pathways to Change
1.0 elimination of bias credit applied for
Federal Medicaid law requires states to pursue estate recovery for long-term care benefits paid on behalf of individuals age 55+. No other public benefit program imposes such recoveries. This session examines the legal framework for estate recovery under 42 U.S.C. § 1396p, including required recoveries for LTSS and related services, mandatory exemptions and deferrals, and state discretion in defining “estate” and implementing hardship waivers. The session will present the harms caused by estate recovery, including how estate recovery can reinforce racial and disability-based wealth disparities by targeting the modest “first asset” many families hold—home equity—and by imposing disproportionate burdens on communities with lower intergenerational wealth. The session will review national repeal efforts, including this year’s Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act, and compare Minnesota’s estate recovery program to those of other states, with a focus on advocacy opportunities.
– Eric M. Carlson

11:20 – 11:30 a.m.
BREAK

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Making (and Breaking) Medical Assistance Law: Litigation Lessons, Strategic Choices, and the Cost of Bad Facts
This session examines major Medical Assistance cases involving eligibility determinations, asset treatment, and estate recovery, with a focus on retrospective analysis: what arguments worked, what backfired, and what they would do differently if given the chance. Particular attention will be paid to the risks of “dabbling” in Medical Assistance litigation, the ethical and professional responsibility considerations when advancing novel arguments, and how bad facts can create bad law that harms future clients and entire practice areas. Attendees will gain practical guidance on identifying cases suitable for impact litigation, preserving clean records, collaborating with experienced advocates, and making intentional choices that advance client interests while strengthening—rather than undermining—Medical Assistance jurisprudence.
– Mary Frances Price & J. Noble Simpson

12:30 – 12:45 p.m.
LUNCH (provided to in-person attendees)

12:45 – 1:15 p.m.
Recognition of Julian J. Zweber

1:15 – 1:30 p.m.
BREAK

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
SMALL GROUP SESSION A

101
Preparing Medical Assistance Applications: Where One Missing Document Can Ruin Your Week
This basic session provides attorneys with a practical, step-by-step overview of the process for preparing and submitting a Medical Assistance application. Taught by an experienced paralegal with extensive hands-on involvement in Medical Assistance cases, the session focuses on the day-to-day mechanics that support effective legal representation.
– Cassie J. Iverson

102
Exploring Excess Income Producing Asset Exception to the Community Spouse Asset Allowance
This session will explore the Medical Assistance law, developing policy, and a hypothetical scenario related to an exception that enables a low-income couple to retain additional income-producing assets above the standard community spouse asset allowance for a married couple.
– Cathryn D. Reher

2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
BREAK

2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
SMALL GROUP SESSION B

201
What Counts and What Doesn’t: Medical Assistance Eligibility for Minnesota Medical Assistance Long-Term Care and the Elderly Waiver
A comprehensive overview of the financial and non-financial eligibility requirements for Minnesota Medical Assistance Long-Term Care (MA-LTC) and the Elderly Waiver (EW). The session covers current categorical eligibility standards, income budgets, and key non-financial requirements that impact approval and ongoing eligibility. Attendees will gain practical insight into how eligibility rules are applied in real cases, including common issues that delay or derail approval. The session is designed to help attorneys identify eligibility concerns early and work more effectively with clients and support staff throughout the Medical Assistance process.
– Martha Amdahl

202
Advanced Annuity Planning in Medical Assistance Cases: Compliance Rules, Strategic Uses, and Common Pitfalls
Annuities are frequently used in Medical Assistance planning, but missteps in structure, ownership, or payout can result in ineligibility, penalties, or unintended tax and estate recovery consequences. This advanced session examines annuity strategies through the lens of federal Medicaid law and Minnesota state law. The session will cover permissible uses of annuities funded with countable assets, including spousal annuities, IRA-based annuity strategies, and the use of annuities to help pay through a period of ineligibility after a gift. The presenter will do a deep dive into considerations when structuring an irrevocable annuity contract and provide practical guidance for integrating annuities into broader Medical Assistance, tax, and estate planning frameworks. This session is designed for attorneys who work in Medical Assistance planning and who want deeper insight into compliant, defensible annuity strategies in complex cases.
– Aaron Kempen

3:45 – 4:00 p.m.
BREAK

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
SMALL GROUP SESSION C

301
From Excess to Eligible: Asset Planning for Minnesota Medical Assistance
Understand how assets are counted for Minnesota Medical Assistance (MA) and learn how transfers, gifting to family and friends, and other financial strategies can impact eligibility. This session covers countable versus excluded assets, timing considerations, and common pitfalls that can delay or jeopardize MA approval. Attorneys will gain practical guidance for advising clients on legally compliant asset planning, including strategies to reduce excess assets while maintaining eligibility, and tips for documenting transactions to withstand agency scrutiny.
– Kate R. Fredrickson

302
In Marriage QDRO®: Using QDROs and LLCs for Better Asset Treatment
An In Marriage QDRO® allows Medicaid Applicant to transfer funds from an ERISA governed retirement account to a spouse and is not subject to the look-back period. Don’t have an ERISA plan? Consider using a unique process involving an LLC and Solo 401k to achieve the same result. Through practical examples and common pitfalls, this program will equip attorneys to better advise clients to save pension, 401k and IRA funds when determining eligibility for Medical Assistance and long-term care benefits.
– Marcus T. Foote

5:00 – 5:30 p.m.
INSTITUTE RECEPTION
Cheers! Join the speakers, your colleagues and friends for refreshments, great conversation and networking at the Annual Medical Assistance Conference Reception.

LIVE IN-PERSON
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota

ONLINE REPLAY
Friday, June 12, 2026
Attend online
Online replay includes all plenary and breakout sessions. A moderator will be available to answer questions by email.

$345 MSBA members / $345 paralegals / $395 standard rate

Other discounts that may apply:

• Season Pass Discount
• New Lawyer Discount

Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.

Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 6.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 elimination of bias credit. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 6.0 credits.